If you are planning for a visit to a historical location, Jaipur is the best location in India for witnessing the glory of the Rajput Era. Time has almost halted in the dingy winding roads of Jaipur as you will feel that you have taken a time machine to the past. Visiting different Indian states is incomplete without a trip planned to the Pink City. Here is the list of palaces and forts in Jaipur which will leave you awestruck. The luxurious resorts for the visitors and the hospitable attitude of the local inhabitants will leave you impressed with the welcoming aura of the city. So let us go check out the most famous places to visit in Jaipur, shall we?
1. City Palace
This brilliant work of art was constructed almost three centuries ago by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. The magnificent example of architecture is located in the old city of Jaipur and has successfully attracted a crowd of tourists over the years. The royal family still resides inside the structure and the huge walls protect the premises of the building. It was built by the Emperor when he shifted his court from Amber to Jaipur. The well-maintained structure of the building is taken care of by the descendants of the royal family as they inhabit the building. The palace is symbolic of Mughal and Rajasthani styles of Art and architecture.
2. Jantar Mantar
The initial impression of the building will be a couple of massive structures built of sandstone. But certainly, the significance of Jantar Mantar extends much beyond the appearance of the building. The structure houses the massive astronomical instruments and tools from the time of Rajput Emperor Jai Singh II. He encouraged the construction of this astronomical centre to measure the depth of heaven and the universe. The structure dates back to 300 years when the Emperor took great interest in celestial objects and astronomy. The Samrat Yantra is the most attractive feature of the building which is a sundial. The tourists are allowed to explore the features of the architectural design structure and admire the beauty from the past. The private guides that are available at the doorstep of the Jantar Mantar building are beneficial for gathering knowledge about astronomical tools. They help the tourists to explore the artifacts and tools and learn about their utility in the past.
3. Hawa Mahal
The honeycombed structure of Hawa Mahal is the main attraction of the town for tourists to enjoy the beauty of the state. The Hawa Mahal resembles the architectural excellence of the town and the name of the city is derived from the salmon pink shade of the structure. The building is created in the shape of the crown of Lord Krishna, the most commonly worshipped deity of the city. The significance of the building comes from the past stories that the building was constructed to allow the women of the royal families to enjoy the festivals and fairs on the roads without having to expose themselves in front of the crowd. The Hawa Mahal was constructed in 1799 and ever since then has stood as the fine example of architectural excellence of the Rajput Era. The colourful glass windows establish an aura of vibrancy and the museum on the premises bears artifacts of the Rajput Kings.
4. Amber Fort
This magnificent Fort was built around 1520 and stands upright on a small hilltop. You may have to take a twenty-minute car ride to the destination and travel northeast to witness the grandeur of Rajasthani work of art and architecture. The Fort is built of sandstone and marble which adds to the remarkable features of the building. The intricacy of the designs and the royal ambience will surely leave you awestruck as you admire the sprawling gardens and the courtyards within the premises. The secret tunnels and passages will confer a sense of thrill and adventure in the hearts of the visitors. The place has been tagged as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and you must hire a local guide to explain to you the stories of the kings and spin the tales of wars, betrayal, romance, and treachery.
5. Albert Hall Museum
The Albert Hall Museum was well praised by the English writer Rudyard Kipling. It is indeed a location for visitors to admire the glory of history and walk down memory lane. The Museum is famous for the magnificent artifacts like the ancient coins, the mummy from Egypt, and the stunning paintings from the courtroom of the kings.
The light and sound show is also another excellent feature of the Museum which grabs the attention of the tourists. The program is held after dusk which attracts a massive number of tourists to visit the Museum after the dark and enjoy the play of vibrancy and colours.